Political Perspectives on 04/07/10

Fr. Roy Bourgeois will talk about the current crisis in the Catholic Church, reforming the Church, calling for the Pope to resign, and calling for women's ordination. Fr. Roy has worked to end U.S. government-funded combat training of Latin American militaries for many years.

Fr. Bourgeois, founder of the School of the Americas (SOA) Watch, is internationally known for his work to end U.S. government-funded combat training of Latin American militaries. In August of 2008, he participated in the ordination ceremony of Janice Sevre-Duszynska, a Roman Catholic woman and WOC activist. In October of that year, the Vatican informed him that he would be excommunicated if he did not recant his support of women’s ordination within 30 days. He did not recant. Within a week, WOC and coalition partners garnered over 3,700 signatures of Catholics across the country that supported Fr. Bourgeois. WOC sent the petition to the Vatican before the end of the 30-day period, but they have not responded, nor have they sent further word on Fr. Bourgeois’ excommunication.

Father Roy Bourgeois, a priest for 37 years, has been threatened with excommunication for his public support of women’s ordination.

On Friday, April 9th, Call to Action NW Oregon will sponsor an evening with Fr. Roy Bourgeois at Central Lutheran Church, 1820 NE 21st Ave., Portland, OR. 97212. This event is part of a national speaking tour titled “Break the Silence. Shatter the Stained-Glass Ceiling” organized by national Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) and Call to Action-USA.

Along with three local women church leaders, he will give the background for his commitment to working for peace and justice within the Catholic Church and in society. The evening presentation is titled: "A Journey of Conscience: Women Are Finding a Way."